Terri Schiavo Timeline

January 6, 2006

Feb. 25, 1990

Terri Schiavo collapses in her home. Doctors believe a potassium imbalance caused her heart to temporarily stop, cutting off oxygen to her brain. She goes into a coma, and though her husband, Michael, raises money for an operation to implant a stimulator in her brain, she does not come out of the coma, remaining in what a doctor will later call a "persistent vegetative state."

November 1992

Michael Schiavo wins malpractice suit accusing doctors of misdiagnosing his wife for not recognizing that she was suffering from an eating disorder before her heart stopped. A jury awards more than more than $700,000 for her care, Michael receives an additional $300,000.

1993

In February, Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, have a dispute with Michael over the malpractice suit money and Terri's care. In July, they file a petition to have Michael removed as Terri's guardian, but the case is later dismissed.

May 1998

Michael Schiavo files a petition to remove Terri's feeding tube.

Feb. 11, 2000

Pinellas, Fla., Circuit Judge George Greer rules the feeding tube can be removed.

April 24, 2001

Terri's feeding tube is removed, after the 2nd District Court of Appeal upheld Greer's decision and both the Florida Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court refused to intervene.

Greer denies the Schindlers' request to allow their doctors evaluate Terri, as well as their request to remove Michael Schiavo as her guardian.

Sept. 26, 2001

The Schindlers' attorneys argue before 2nd District Court of Appeal, citing testimony from seven doctors who say Terri can recover with the right treatment, and on Oct. 3, the court delays removal of feeding tube indefinitely. On Oct. 17, the court rules that five doctors can examine Terri to determine whether she has any hope of recovery. Two doctors are picked by the Schindlers, two are picked by Michael Schiavo and one is picked by the court.

October 2002

During a weeklong hearing in the case, three doctors, including the one appointed by the court, testify that Terri is in a persistent, vegetative state with no hope of recovery. The two doctors selected by the Schindlers say she can recover.

Nov. 22, 2002

Greer rules there is no evidence Terri has any hope of recovery and orders feeding tube to be removed on Jan. 3, 2003, but three weeks later he outs a stay on the order, to allow the 2nd District Court of Appeal to review the case.

April-September 2003

Despite an appeal from the Schindlers' attorneys to "err on the side of life" and overturn Greer's ruling, the 2nd District Court of Appeal holds the ruling on June 6, and in July refuses to rehear the case. After the Florida Supreme Court refuses to hear the case in August, the Schindlers take case to federal court in September.

Sept. 17, 2003

Judge Greer sets Oct. 15 as the date for the tube to be removed. State Attorney General Charlie Crist says on Oct. 3 that he won't get involved in case, and four days later Gov. Jeb Bush files a federal court brief urging that Terri be kept alive, but a U.S. District Judge rules he does not have jurisdiction to intervene. On Oct. 14, the 2nd District Court of Appeal again refuses to block the removal of the tube.